Sony Music Joins Artist Growth’s artist discovery network, AG Accel

Sony Music Entertainment is the latest major partner to join AG Accel, the new artist discovery network launched by artist services startup Artist Growth.

AG Accel provides a platform for touring artists to get in front of a curated network of record labels, including Sony Music Entertainment’s labels, as well as managers, booking agents, distributors, brand sponsors and more.

By partnering with AG Accel artists can be discovered, reviewed and potentially signed based on their self-reported data from the road, including album, merchandise and ticket sales, as well as gross tour revenue and active tour markets.

“Data is playing an increasingly important role in our A&R process,” said Justin Eshak, VP of A&R at Columbia Records, commenting on the partnership. “How information is gathered and ultimately used is paramount in our goal to distance ourselves from competition, and we view touring data as another key metric in this equation.”